Air Canada Express Crash: Two Pilots Dead at LaGuardia

Two pilots died after an Air Canada Express aircraft struck a Port Authority fire truck on a runway at LaGuardia Airport in New York on Sunday night, March 23, 2026.

The collision occurred as Air Canada Express flight 8646 was landing, triggering an airport shutdown that disrupted travel beyond New York.

What happened at LaGuardia

Preliminary information cited a high-speed impact, with the aircraft moving at about 104 miles per hour at the time of the crash.

The Air Line Pilots Association confirmed the two fatalities and described the event as a “profound tragedy.”

Injuries and immediate response

Authorities transported 41 passengers and crew members to hospitals following the incident.

Of those taken for medical evaluation, 32 were later released, while the status of the remaining individuals was not detailed in the available information.

Operational disruption and travel impact

LaGuardia was closed until at least 2 p.m. ET the next day, a move that affected flight schedules and connections across the United States.

Because LaGuardia is a major hub for short-haul routes in the New York region, extended runway closures can quickly cascade into delays and cancellations across airline networks.

Investigation and key uncertainties

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board opened an investigation described as extensive, focusing on how the aircraft and emergency vehicle came to occupy the same runway.

Air traffic control audio will be reviewed, including a controller’s statement, “I messed up,” which investigators are expected to assess alongside other evidence.

Officials indicated the inquiry could take a year or longer to identify root causes, and no final conclusions have been released.